Sector puzzle construction



July 5, 1955 x. H. STEINHARDT SECTOR PUZZLE CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 27, 1948 50 INVENTOR Ze y Saezh/zaroi ATTORNEY y 1955 l. H. STEINHARDT 2,712,447

SECTOR PUZZLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2'7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tia] c 76 TTEJL INYENTOR [rt/1112.7 Hariley S59v2 z A ORNEY y 1955 1. H. STEINHARDT 2,712,447

SECTOR PUZZLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 27, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR [rz/zn o .flafiiley Stein/harp? A ORNEY United States Patent per! SECTGR PUZZLE CQNSTRUCTION Irving Hartley Steinhardt, New York, N. Y.

Application September 27, 1948, Serial No. 51,338

16 Claims. (Cl. 273-160) The present invention relates to a puzzle construction.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a multi-piece interfitting puzzle construction which will be small and compact, readily manufactured of wood or plastic materials, and which may be used as part of a key chain, pull cords and so forth.

It is a further object of the present invention to make a novel puzzle construction which is adaptable to a wide variety of external shapes-animal, plant or inanimateand which may be readily made in varying sizes.

A further object is to make a novel plastic puzzle construction which will be readily taken apart, but which only may be put together by exercise of considerable skill and ingenuity.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most satisfactory to form the puzzle of a plurality of segments or sectors with separable contacting pieces extending outwardly from a central axial or longitudinal line.

The separable contacting pieces will have interfitting recesses and projections or ridges and grooves which will only fit together when the puzzle is put together with certain pieces in contact or adjacent relationship and in certain order.

A most unusual and distinctive feature of the present invention is the separation of the interfitting pieces radially or away from the central axis.

Normally as the pieces are moved apart radially outwardly, the separation between the adjacent separable radial pieces will increase until the interfitting grooves and ridges or recesses and projections will separate sufiiciently to permit the parts to completely separate or fall apart.

This separation may readily be accomplished by inserting an end or" a pencil or ball pointed pen into each end of the puzzle to cause such radial separation of the puzzle pieces. Normally the separation from the central axis amounts to about A. to /3 the radial width of the contacting faces. At this point, the initially contacting radial faces will have separated sufficiently to cause complete disengagement of the interlocking grooves and ridges or recesses and projections.

In fitting the puzzle together the pieces must be fitted together so that when they are all aligned in proper order, the varying length and sized grooves and ridges or recessions and projections will correctly intezfit and slide together as the sector-like pieces are moved radially inwardly and the contacting radial faces are moved together.

Where an even number of pieces are employed, say 4, 6, 8, or 12, interfitting bars extending radially inwardly should also be provided to prevent separation of 2,712,447 .ratented July 5, 1955 ICC the puzzle into two halves upon a radial or diametral plane.

When an uneven number of pieces are employed, say 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or 13, the inwardly projecting prongs or fingers may be eliminated since there can be no separation along a diametral plane.

Although the puzzle may take the form of an airplane, dog, pig, elephant, house, automobile, or may even be hollow to serve as a bank receptacle, it is preferably of spheroidal or ellipsoidal shape. It desirably may simulate a baseball, basketball or football With the lines of junction between the interfitting pieces simulating the seams or stitching along said seams.

Although the puzzles may be made of varying materials they are preferably molded of polystyrene or cellulose acetate by injection molding processes.

In such a procedure, the spines which carry the molten plastic from the main sprue and runner to the gate of the cavity, which forms each piece, will be connected to a recessed or depressed portion adjacent the central axis or on the contacting faces of the sector elements.

Here not only will they be concealed, but when the sprues and gates are broken olt no machining or smoothing will be necessary since the break off will be in a recess or depression, where it will not contact other pieces, parts or faces.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a side perspective view of one form of a puzzle device according to the present invention with six sector elements.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional View upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view upon the line 33 of Fig. 1, upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the central bottom sector element of the puzzle construction of Figs. 1 to 3 upon the same scale as Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a side perspective View, similar to Fig. 4, of the central bottom sector element with one of the lower puzzle sector elements added thereto on the remote side.

Fig. 6 is a side perspective view, similar to Fig. 5 with two puzzle sector elements added, one to each side of the central bottom sector element.

Fig. 7 is a side perspective View similar to Figs. 4 to 6, with three puzzle sector elements added to the central bottom sector element, two on the remote side and one on the near side.

Fig. 8 is a side perspective view, similar to Figs. 4 to 7, with four puzzle sector elements added to the central bottom sector element.

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, of an alternative form of puzzle construction with five sector elements.

Fig. 10 is a side perspective View of one of the sector elements of the puzzle construction of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a top perspective view of each of the puzzle sector elements of Fig. 9, showing the varying slots and interfitting projections.

Fig. 12 is a side perspective view of a dog to which the sector type puzzle construction ofFigs. l to 11 may be applied.

. 3 r Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of a hollow object to which the sector type puzzle of Figs. 1 to 11 may be applied.

Fig. 14 is a front view of an airplane construction to.

which the sector type puzzle construction of Figs. 1 to 11 a may be applied.

Fig. l5is a perspective view of a small building, useful as a bank, to which the sector type puzzle construction of Figs. 1 to 11 may be applied.

Fig. 16 is adiagrammatic fragmentary sectional view showing the method of plastic or injection molding the puzzle elements of Figs. 1 to 15 with recessed gates or sprue connections, taken upon the line 1616 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 17 is a top plan view taken upon the line 17--17 of Fig. 16. V

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic transverse vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 9, showing how the sector puzzle pieces radially separate or come together in separating or putting the puzzle together.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, the puzzle construction a shown is of the sector type. As shown it has six sector elements,

Element A-the central bottom element Element B-which fits onto the central Element A, as indicated in Fig. 5

Element Cwhich fits onto the central Element A, as

shown in Figs. 3 and 6 Element Dwhich fits onto the Element B, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 7 Element Ewhich fits onto the Element C as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 8 Element Fwhich fits onto the central Element D, as well as engaging the Elements E and D as indicated in Figs. I

2, 3 and 8.

The Elements A to F are not actually fitted together one at a time as shown in Figs. 4 to 8, but all together at one time as indicated in Fig. 18.

Referring to the central bottom sector element as shown in Fig. 4, the Element A has a sector shape with flat sides 10 and 11, with end recesses 12 and 13, witha ridge 14 projecting from the flat side 10, and a corresponding recess 15 formed in the flat side 11. The central edge 16 is recessed as indicated at 17, 18 and 19.

' The Element A also has an upwardly projecting bar 20, having an eye 21 at the top thereof. This eye 21, as indicated in Fig. 1,'may serve as a suspension point for light cord, or, as shown, it may form the attachment to a key chain 22, which is connected together by the element 23.

Referring to the Element B (see Figs. 2, 3 and 5) this element has the flat sector faces and 31. The face 30 has a curved ridge 32 fitting in the recess 15 and it has a curved recess 33. Its central edge 34 is recessed as indicated at 35 and 36, and it has a projecting tooth member 37. The Element B is also recessed as indicated at 38 and 39 at the ends thereof.

Referring to the Element C, shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, this element has the sides and 46 respectively provided with the recess 47 and the projecting portion 48. The portion 47 receives the projection 14 of the Element A.

The Element C is also provided with a projecting member 49 which extends across the recesses 19 and 35 and it also has recesses as indicated at 50 and 51 in Fig. 6.' The Element'C also has end recesses 52 and 53 to cooperate with the recesses 12 and 13, and recesses 38 and 39 respectively. I a

The Element D (see Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8), has the side faces and 61 which carry respectively the arcuate recess 62 and the arcuate projection 63. The arcuate projection 63 fits into the recess 33 in the Element B. The Element D is also provided with recesses 64, 65, adjacent to central portion thereof, as well as the recesses 66 and 67 adjacent to the ends thereof.

The Element D also has a projecting tooth 68 which extends across the recesses 17 and 36. Element E has a simulation of lacing on its outer surface 76. Element E also has an arcuate groove 77 on one of its sides 78 and an arcuate projection 79 on its other side 80.

The arcuate groove 77 receives the projection 48 of the Element C.

The final top sector Element F has the projection on its face 86, which fits into therecess 62. Element F also has an arcuate groove 87 on its face 88 which receives the projection 79. The central recess 89 receives the upstanding member 20.

In operating the puzzle from the assembled position, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a pencil or other article is inserted in the end recesses G and H; These recesses are formed of the sector recesses 12, 13, 38, 39, 52, 53, and so forth. Thereupon the parts A to F will separate radially as indicated in Fig. 18. When these pieces A to F move sufficiently outwardly radially to disengage the arcuate tongues or projections 14, 32, 48, 63, 79 and 85, from the matching arcuate grooves or recesses 15, 33, 47, 62, 77 and 87, as indicated in Fig. 18, the

together in one specific sequence and arrangement. Al-

though the shorter interior arcuate projections may be fitted into the longer arcuate grooves, it will not be possible to achieve a complete interlocking when the parts are fitted radially together unless the proper interfitting grooves and projections match.

It will be noted that the puzzle construction of Figs. 1 to 8 is particularly adapted to puzzles having an even number of sectors, six being shown. The construction as shown is applicable not only to six pieces, but also to four, eight, ten, twelve, etc. To prevent the pieces from sliding on a central plane into two groups, interlocking teeth 37, 43, 49, 68 and so forth, fitting into the recesses 35, 51 and so forth, are provided.

Although the puzzle pieces may be carved or formed in various ways, it has been found most satisfactory to 1 off the lead-ins or sprues 92 without the necessity of finishing the pieces A to F since the depth of the recess 93 will be suflicient to overcome therough edge left.

Where an uneven number of pieces are employed, such as 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and so forth, the interlocking teeth 37, 43, 49 and 68 of Figs. 2 to 7 are not required.

This type of construction is shown in Figs. 9 to 11. As indicated in Figs. 9 to 11, the puzzle consists of five pieces designated M, N, P, Q, R.

Each part M, N, P, Q and R, as shown in Fig. 11, is provided with two grooves of different length, designated respectively as .and 101 in part M, 102 and 103 in part N, 104 and 105 in part P, 106 and 107 in part Q, and 108 and 109 in part R.

These pieces M, N, P, Q and R also are provided with two arcuate projections each, namely projections 110 and 111 of part M, projections 112 and 113 of part N, projections 114 and 115 of part P, projections 116 and 117 of part Q, and projections 118 and 119 of part R.

The ends of the elements M to R, all inclusive, are

all provided with end recesses. As shown there are recesses 120 and 121 on part M, recesses 122 and 123 on part N, recesses 124 and 125 on part P, recesses 126 and 127 on part Q, and recesses 128 and 129 on part R.

There is also on each part a central recess for receiving the sprue. These recesses being indicated at 130 on part M, at 131 on part N, at 132 on part P, at 133 on part Q, and at 134 on part R.

The outline of the sprue in each of these parts is indicated at 135 for part M, at 136 for part N, at 137 for part P, at 138 for part Q, and at 139 for part R.

As shown, the shorter ridges such as 110 and 111 will fit into any of the grooves 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 105, 107, 108 and 109.

Unless they are fitted into the right ones, the five parts cannot be fitted together to form the complete puzzle, which will have the appearance as shown in Fig. 9, with the ring 141 molded integrally on the top 142 of piece Q.

The brackets 143, 144, 145 and 146 indicate those pieces which are to be fitted together radially in the manner indicated in Fig. 18.

These same puzzle constructions of Figs. 1 to 11 may be applied to a dog, as shown in Fig. 12, a hollow ball serving as a bank, shown in Fig. 13, an airplane shown in Fig. 14, a building shown as a bank, as shown in Fig. 15, or even other shapes and forms such as toy automobiles, toy clocks, toy locomotives, toy telephones, and so forth. The basic principle is to have an even or uneven number of sectors with interfitting grooves and ridges or other interfitting connections on their contacting faces which will cooperate in a certain sequence and which will not cooperate in any other sequence.

The puzzle may then be fitted together in one sequence, and no other sequence will enable it to fit together.

Referring to Fig. 12, the dog is shown as having five sectors indicated at 160, 161, 162, 163 and 164. These sectors separate along the radial planes 165, 166, 167, 168 and 169. These all meet at a central line 170 which extends longitudinally of the dog figure.

in Fig. 13, there are shown five sectors or pieces, 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179. The uppermost element 178 has a coin slot 180. Each of the elements has projections 181, 182, 183, 184 and 185 which fit into recesses 186, 137, 188, 189 and 190 of the contacting elements of similar construction, as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 11.

In the airplane shown in Fig. 14, there are shown five sectors, 200, 201, 202, 203 and 204 contacting along the radial planes 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209, which meet at a central longitudinal axis. The plane is of conventional shape having wings 210 and wheels 211 mounted integrally with the puzzle parts.

in Figs. 15 is shown a building serving as a bank which is hollow and has a slot 220, for reception of coins. The puzzle is divided into the pieces 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225, meeting on planes 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230, which meet at the longitudinal axis 231.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 740,380 filed April 9, 1947, now Patent No. 2,651,522 dated September 8, 1953.

As many changes could be made in the above puzzle construction and method of making the same, and many widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, What is claimed is:

l. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshaped sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantial length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation.

2. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshaped sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantial length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation, and recesses at the ends of said axis permitting insertion of tools to separate said sector members radially.

3. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshaped sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantial length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation, said construction being hollow and serving as a bank.

4. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshaped sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantial length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation, said sector members being even in number and having radially inwardly directed prongs to prevent separation on a diametrical plane.

5. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshaped sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantial length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation, one of said pieces carrying a ring member for attachment to a chain or cord.

6. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshaped sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantial length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation, said construction taking the form of a football.

7. A puzzle construction having a plurality of wedgeshapcd sector members meeting at a central longitudinal axis, and contacting each other along adjacent faces which extend outwardly in a radial plane from said longitudinal axis, said sector members having interfitting recesses and projections, said recesses and projections extending arcuately over a substantail length of the contacting faces of the sector members adjacent the outer edges of said sector members away from the longitudinal axis and having varying lengths so as to compel a sequential assembly operation, said puzzle construction taking the form of an animal figure.

8. A football sector puzzle, comprising a small elon gated football of six molded piecessplit by radial planes into six sectors, the apices of which meet along the longitudinal axis of the football and which extend from end to end of the football, the contacting radial plane faces of the sectors each being provided with aligned arcuate ridges and grooves of square cross section extending substantially along the length of the outer edges of the sectors and converging toward the ends of the football and being of different length on similar faces of any two sectors so as to compel assemblage in a predetermined sequential.

9. The puzzle of claim 8 in which one of the sectors is provided with an extension extendingfrom its apex through the football and out through the other side to form a handle and suspension member.

10. The puzzle of claim 8 in which the apex portions are provided with a plurality of inwardly directed prong members to extend into the apex portions of the opposite sectors.

11. The puzzle of claim 8 in which the apex portions are recessed to receive a sprue connection which is below the contacting faces of the sectors.

12. The puzzle of claim 8 in which the ends of the puzzle are provided with recsses to permit insertion of a pencil to cause removal of the sectors from their engagement with one another.

13. An elongated puzzle construction having a central longitudinal axis, comprising a plurality of elongated three-sided sectors substantially triangular shaped in cross section, the adjacent sides of the sectors contacting and closely fitting each other along radial planes extending through the central longitudinal axis which axis lies in the plane of each adjacent contacting side of each sector, the outside face of each sector conforming to the outside face of each other sector to form the exterior surface of the construction, and the contacting sides of the sectors having interfitting grooves and projections of varying length so as to be keyed to each other at the contacting sides and so that only two predetermined contacting sides may be fitted together.

14. The construction of claim 13, said grooves and projections being arcuate and being parallel to the out' side curved surface and closely adjacent thereto.

15. The construction of claim' 13, the central corner.

of each sector at the longitudinal axis being recessed to receive a sprue connection.

16. The construction of claim 13, the ends of the sectors adjacent the ends of the construction being recessed to receive an insert to separate the sectors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Muc -ante, 

